Neko Case's fourth studio album, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, is simply one of the most anticipated releases of 2006. Neko stands poised to break into the company of mavericks like Wilco, Beck, and Elliott Smith; like them she transcends genres and demographics, older fans swooning to her roots-infused vocal stylings as alternative kids dig her New Pornographers pop moves and David Lynchinspired, cinematic lyrics.

Collaborating with the likes of The Band's Garth Hudson, Calexico's Joey Burns and John Covertino, and Giant Sand's Howe Gelb, Neko displays a newfound love of studio artistry on songs like "Dirty Knife," with its dark orchestral sweep, and the Ennio Morricone meets Brenda Lee classicism of "Star Witness." Most notably, Neko has for the first time recorded songs like "Hold On Hold On" that harken back to the classic three-minute pop of The Mamas and the Papas and The Byrds, offering an entry point for a whole new audienceinto the lush, arcane universe of Neko Case.